Server System Fan System

The present invention relates to information handling systems. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to server type information handling systems within information technology (IT) environments.

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.

It is known to use information handling systems and related IT systems within information technology (IT) environments such as data centers.

A system and method for providing an information handling system with a fan system.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a fan system connector system for use with an information handling system, comprising: a fan system housing connector, the fan system housing connector defining a fan system housing connector aperture; and, a fan system housing connector fastener mechanism, the fan system housing connector fastener mechanism comprising a fan system housing fastener and a fan system housing fastener positioning component, the fan system housing connector fastener mechanism being configured to attach the fan system housing connector to a fan system housing, the fan system housing connector fastener mechanism being configured to fit within the fan system housing connector aperture.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to a fan system comprising: a fan system housing and a fan system connector system, the fan system connector system comprising: a fan system housing connector, the fan system housing connector defining a fan system housing connector aperture; and, a fan system housing connector fastener mechanism, the fan system housing connector fastener mechanism comprising a fan system housing fastener and a fan system housing fastener positioning component, the fan system housing connector fastener mechanism being configured to attach the fan system housing connector to the fan system housing, the fan system housing connector fastener mechanism being configured to fit within the fan system housing connector aperture.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to a system comprising: a chassis; a component array and a fan system, the fan system comprising a fan system housing and a fan system connector system, the fan system connector system comprising: a fan system housing connector, the fan system housing connector defining a fan system housing connector aperture; and, a fan system housing connector fastener mechanism, the fan system housing connector fastener mechanism comprising a fan system housing fastener and a fan system housing fastener positioning component, the fan system housing connector fastener mechanism being configured to attach the fan system housing connector to the fan system housing, the fan system housing connector fastener mechanism being configured to fit within the fan system housing connector aperture.

Various aspects of the disclosure include an appreciation that it is known to provide server type information handling systems with fan systems. Various aspects of the present disclosure include an appreciation that known fan systems often include a plurality of fans mounted within a fan system housing. Various aspects of the present disclosure include an appreciation that known fan systems are often coupled to other components of the server information handling system via fan system connections. Various aspects of the present disclosure include an appreciation that fan system connections are often configured with a floating fan system connector system.

Various aspects of the present disclosure include an appreciation that certain known fan systems with floating fan system connector system there can be a unilateral gap of between a screw of a fan system connector of the fan system connector system and a mating hole for the fan system connector on a fan system housing. Various aspects of the present disclosure include an appreciation that such a unilateral gap can cause the fan system connector to shift due to gravity. Various aspects of the present disclosure include an appreciation that certain known fan systems with floating fan system connectors this unilateral gap can be substantially (i.e., +/−20%) 1.0 mm between the screw and the mating hole of the connector which can result in a shift downward of substantially 1.0 mm due to gravity.

Various aspects of the present disclosure include an appreciation that certain known fan systems, the minimum distance between the fan system connector system and a lower system housing component (such as an air intake component or a component housing (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU) housing which includes a GPU heat sink) can be substantially (i.e., +/−20%) 0.4 mm. Various aspects of the present disclosure include an appreciation that certain known fan systems if a fan system connector of the fan system connector system shifts downward due to the unilateral gap, the lower system housing component can interfere with the fan system connector as the fan system connector is attached to the fan system housing. The combination of the unilateral gap and the minimum distance can be referred to as an accumulated tolerance.

Various aspects of the present disclosure include an appreciation that it would be desirable to provide a fan system which overcomes issues associated with the accumulated tolerance of the unilateral gap and the minimum distance between the fan system connector and the lower system housing component.

A system and method are disclosed for providing a server system with a fan system. In certain embodiments, the fan system includes a fan system connector system. In certain embodiments, the fan system connector system includes a fan system housing connector. In certain embodiments, the fan system housing connector includes a fan system housing connector aperture, a fan system connector fastener mechanism, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the fan system connector fastener mechanism is configured to fit within the fan system housing connector aperture. In certain embodiments, the fan system connector fastener mechanism physically attaches the fan system housing connector to the fan system housing. In certain embodiments, the fan system housing connector is configured as a female type connector. In certain embodiments, the fan system housing connector is configured to interconnect with a fan system cable connector. In certain embodiments, the fan system cable connector is configured as a male type connector.

In certain embodiments, the fan system connector fastener mechanism includes a fan system fastener and a fan system connector positioning component. In certain embodiments, the fan system positioning component is configured as a right circular, open cylinder. In certain embodiments, the cylindrical fan system positioning component fits around the fan system fastener. In certain embodiments, the fan system fastener includes a fastener head, a fastener cylindrical portion and a fastener threaded portion. In certain embodiments, the cylindrical fan system positioning component fits around the fastener cylindrical portion. In certain embodiments, the fan system positioning component is configured with an elastomeric material. Inc certain embodiments, the elastomeric material is rubber.

In certain embodiments, the fan system positioning component is sized to fill the gap between the fan system fastener and the fan system housing connector aperture. In certain embodiments, so positioning the fan system positioning component ensures that the centers of the fan system fastener and the fan system housing connector aperture align, thereby preventing the fan system connector from shifting downward due to the gap. In certain embodiments, by maintaining the distance between the fan system housing connector and a lower housing component, this approach ensures that interference due to insufficient distance caused by accumulated tolerances is avoided.

Such a fan system may advantageously be assembled without complicated design alterations. Such a fan system may advantageously simultaneously achieve positioning and alignment of the fan system housing connector.

1 FIG. 100 100 102 104 106 108 100 110 140 142 108 110 150 100 112 114 112 116 100 100 108 150 100 shows a generalized illustration of an information handling systemthat can be used to implement the system and method of the present invention. The information handling systemincludes a processor (e.g., central processor unit or “CPU”), input/output (I/O) devices, such as a display, a keyboard, a mouse, and associated controllers, a hard drive or disk storage, and various other subsystems. In various embodiments, the information handling systemalso includes network portoperable to connect to a network, which is likewise accessible by a service provider server. In various embodiments, one or both the other subsystemsor the network portinclude a fan system. The information handling systemlikewise includes system memory, which is interconnected to the foregoing via one or more buses. System memoryfurther comprises operating system (OS). In certain embodiments, the information handling systemis one of a plurality of information handling systems within a data center. In certain embodiments, the information handling systemcomprises a server type information handling system. In certain embodiments, the server type information handling system is configured to be mounted within a server rack. In certain embodiments, the other subsystemincludes one or more fan systemfor cooling of the information handling system.

100 In certain embodiments, the information handling systemcomprises a server type information handling system. In certain embodiments, the server type information handling system comprises a blade server type information handling system. As used herein, a blade server type information handling system broadly refers to an information handling system which is physically configured to be mounted within a server rack.

150 In certain embodiments, the fan systemincludes a fan system connector system. In certain embodiments, the fan system connector system includes a fan system housing connector. In certain embodiments, the fan system housing connector includes a fan system housing connector aperture, a fan system connector fastener mechanism, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the fan system connector fastener mechanism is configured to fit within the fan system housing connector aperture. In certain embodiments, the fan system connector fastener mechanism physically attaches the fan system housing connector to the fan system housing. In certain embodiments, the fan system housing connector is configured as a female type connector. In certain embodiments, the fan system housing connector is configured to interconnect with a fan system cable connector. In certain embodiments, the fan system cable connector is configured as a male type connector.

In certain embodiments, the fan system connector fastener mechanism includes a fan system fastener and a fan system connector positioning component. In certain embodiments, the fan system positioning component is configured as a right circular, open cylinder. In certain embodiments, the cylindrical fan system positioning component fits around the fan system fastener. In certain embodiments, the fan system fastener includes a fastener head, a fastener cylindrical portion and a fastener threaded portion. In certain embodiments, the cylindrical fan system positioning component fits around the fastener cylindrical portion. In certain embodiments, the fan system positioning component is configured with an elastomeric material. Inc certain embodiments, the elastomeric material is rubber.

In certain embodiments, the fan system positioning component is sized to fill the gap between the fan system fastener and the fan system housing connector aperture. In certain embodiments, so positioning the fan system positioning component ensures that the centers of the fan system fastener and the fan system housing connector aperture align, thereby preventing the fan system connector from shifting downward due to the gap. In certain embodiments, by maintaining the distance between the fan system housing connector and a lower housing component, this approach ensures that interference due to insufficient distance caused by accumulated tolerances is avoided.

Such a fan system may advantageously be assembled without complicated design alterations. Such a fan system advantageously simultaneously achieves positioning and alignment of the fan system housing connector.

2 FIG. 200 205 100 200 100 100 100 100 shows a perspective view of a portion of an IT environment. The IT environment includes one or more rackswhich include a plurality of information handling systems, often referred to as a server rack. In various embodiments, the IT environmentcomprises a data center. As used herein, a data center refers to an IT environment which includes a plurality of networked information handling systems. In various embodiments, the information handling systemsof the data center include some or all of router type information handling systems, switch type information handling systems, firewall type information handling systems, storage system type information handling systems, server type information handling systems and application delivery controller type information handling systems. In certain environments, the information handling systemsare mounted within respective racks. As used herein, a rack refers to a physical structure that is designed to house the information handling systems, as well as the associated cabling and power provision for the information handling systems. In certain embodiments, a rack includes side panels to which the information handling systems are mounted. In certain embodiments, the rack includes a top panel and a bottom panel to which the side panels are attached. In certain embodiments, the side panels each include a front side panel and a rear side panel.

In certain embodiments, a plurality of racks is arranged continuous with each other to provide a rack system. An IT environment can include a plurality of rack systems arranged in rows with aisles via which IT service personnel can access information handling systems mounted in the racks. In certain embodiments, the aisles can include front aisles via which the front of the information handling systems may be accessed and hot aisles via which the infrastructure (e.g., data and power cabling) of the IT environment can be accessed.

210 Each respective rack includes a plurality of vertically arranged information handling systems. In certain embodiments, the information handling systems may conform to one of a plurality of standard server sizes. In certain embodiments, the plurality of server sizes conforms to particular rack unit sizes (i.e., rack units). As used herein, a rack unit broadly refers to a standardized server system height. As is known in the art, a server system height often conforms to one of a 1U rack unit, a 2U rack unit, and a 4U rack unit. In general, a 1U rack unit is substantially (i.e., +/−20%) 1.75″ high, a 2U rack unit is substantially (i.e., +/−20%) 3.5″ high, and a 4U rack height is substantially (i.e., +/−20%) 7.0″ high.

3 FIG. 300 310 300 320 322 300 330 300 shows a generalized perspective view of an example blade server type information handling system. In certain embodiments, the server type information handling system includes a front portion, which is accessible when the server type information handing systemis mounted on a server rack. In certain embodiments, the side portions,mount to the rack via respective server mounting components. In certain embodiments, the side portions mount to the rack via respective mechanical guiding features which are mechanically coupled to respective server mounting components. In certain embodiments, the server type information handling system can slide out from the rack via the respective mechanical guiding features. In certain embodiments, internal components of the blade type information handling systemmay be accessed by removing a top panelof the blade type information handing system.

300 350 352 350 352 352 350 350 350 150 In certain embodiments, the blade type information handing systemincludes a fan systemand a component array. In certain embodiments, a top of the fan systemextends over a portion of the component array. In certain embodiments, the component arrayincludes a GPU component array which includes a GPU component array housing. In certain embodiments, the GPU component array housing includes a GPU heat sink. In certain embodiments, GPU heat sink extends across some or all of a top portion of the GPU component array housing. In certain embodiments, a top of the fan systemextends over a portion of the GPU component array housing. In certain embodiments, a top of the fan systemextends over a portion of the CPU heat sink. In certain embodiments, the fan systemcorresponds to fan system.

350 In certain embodiments, the fan systemincludes a fan system connector system. In certain embodiments, the fan system connector system includes a fan system housing connector. In certain embodiments, the fan system housing connector includes a fan system housing connector aperture, a fan system connector fastener mechanism, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the fan system connector fastener mechanism is configured to fit within the fan system housing connector aperture. In certain embodiments, the fan system connector fastener mechanism physically attaches the fan system housing connector to the fan system housing. In certain embodiments, the fan system housing connector is configured as a female type connector. In certain embodiments, the fan system housing connector is configured to interconnect with a fan system cable connector. In certain embodiments, the fan system cable connector is configured as a male type connector.

In certain embodiments, the fan system connector fastener mechanism includes a fan system fastener and a fan system connector positioning component. In certain embodiments, the fan system positioning component is configured as a right circular, open cylinder. In certain embodiments, the cylindrical fan system positioning component fits around the fan system fastener. In certain embodiments, the fan system fastener includes a fastener head, a fastener cylindrical portion and a fastener threaded portion. In certain embodiments, the cylindrical fan system positioning component fits around the fastener cylindrical portion. In certain embodiments, the fan system positioning component is configured with an elastomeric material. Inc certain embodiments, the elastomeric material is rubber.

In certain embodiments, the fan system positioning component is sized to fill the gap between the fan system fastener and the fan system housing connector aperture. In certain embodiments, so positioning the fan system positioning component ensures that the centers of the fan system fastener and the fan system housing connector aperture align, thereby preventing the fan system connector from shifting downward due to the gap. In certain embodiments, by maintaining the distance between the fan system housing connector and a lower housing component, this approach ensures that interference due to insufficient distance caused by accumulated tolerances is avoided.

4 4 4 4 FIGS.A,B,C andD 4 FIG. 4 a FIG. 4 FIG.B 4 FIG.C 4 FIG.D 400 405 405 405 410 405 405 150 , generally referred to as, show views of a portion of server type information handling systemwhich includes a fan system. More specifically,shows a perspective view of a portion of server type information handling system chassis in which a fan systemis mounted.shows a perspective view of a fan system.shows a cross-sectional view of a fan system connector system.shows an exploded perspective view of a fan system. In certain embodiments, the fan systemcorresponds to fan system.

405 410 410 420 420 420 422 422 In certain embodiments, the fan systemincludes a fan system connector system. In certain embodiments, the fan system connector systemincludes fan system housing connectors. In certain embodiments, the fan system housing connectorsare configured as a female type connector. In certain embodiments, the fan system housing connectorsare configured to interconnect with respective fan system cable connector. In certain embodiments, the fan system cable connectoris configured as a male type connector.

420 430 432 432 430 In certain embodiments, the fan system housing connectorincludes a fan system housing connector aperture, a fan system connector fastener mechanism, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the fan system connector fastener mechanismis configured to fit within the fan system housing connector aperture.

432 440 442 442 442 440 440 444 446 448 442 446 442 In certain embodiments, the fan system connector fastener mechanismincludes a fan system fastenerand a fan system connector positioning component. In certain embodiments, the fan system positioning componentis configured as a right circular, open cylinder (i.e., a cylinder where both the top and bottom ends are closed to form an exterior surface and an interior surface with the interior surface defining a hole perpendicular to its base). In certain embodiments, the cylindrical fan system positioning componentfits around the fan system fastener. In certain embodiments, the fan system fastenerincludes a fastener head, a fastener cylindrical portionand a fastener threaded portion. In certain embodiments, the cylindrical fan system positioning componentfits around the fastener cylindrical portion. In certain embodiments, the fan system positioning componentis configured with an elastomeric material. In certain embodiments, the elastomeric material is rubber.

442 440 430 442 440 430 420 440 430 420 In certain embodiments, the fan system positioning componentis sized to fill the gap between the fan system fastenerand the fan system housing connector aperture. In certain embodiments, so positioning the fan system positioning componentensures that the centers of the fan system fastenerand the fan system housing connector aperturealign, thereby preventing the fan system connectorfrom shifting downward due to a gap between the fan system fastenerand the fan system housing connector aperture. In certain embodiments, by maintaining the distance between the fan system housing connectorand a lower housing component (such as a GPU component array housing), this approach ensures that interference due to insufficient distance caused by accumulated tolerances is avoided. In certain embodiments, the GPU component array housing includes a GPU heat sink. In certain embodiments, GPU heat sink extends across some or all of a top portion of the GPU component array housing.

432 440 440 450 452 450 454 456 458 456 454 458 454 452 454 452 456 452 458 452 452 452 452 In certain embodiments, the fan system connector fastener mechanismphysically attaches the fan system housing connector to a fan system housing. In certain embodiments, the fan system housingincludes a base component, a top wall component. component, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the base componentincludes a bottom portion, a first side portion, a second side portion, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, a rear edge of the first side portionextends beyond a rear edge of the bottom portion. In certain embodiments, a rear edge of the second side portionextends beyond a rear edge of the bottom portion. In certain embodiments, a rear edge of the top wall componentextends horizontally beyond a rear edge of the bottom portion. In certain embodiments, a rear edge of the top wall componentextends horizontally beyond a rear edge of the first side portion. In certain embodiments, a rear edge of the top wall componentextends horizontally beyond a rear edge of the second side portion. In certain embodiments, a portion the top wall componentextends over a portion of a component array. In certain embodiments, the rear edge of the top wall componentextends across a portion of top of a component array. In certain embodiments, the component array includes a GPU component array which includes a GPU component array housing. In certain embodiments, the rear edge of the top wall componentextends over a portion of the GPU component array housing. In certain embodiments, the GPU component array housing includes a GPU heat sink. In certain embodiments, the GPU heat sink extends across some or all of a top portion of the GPU component array housing. In certain embodiments, the rear edge of the top wall componentextends over some or all of the GPU heat sink.

452 460 462 460 462 452 420 420 462 In certain embodiments, the top wall componentdefines a first connector recess, a second connector recess, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the first connector recess, the second connector recess, or a combination thereof, are positioned along a rear edge of the top wall component. In certain embodiments, a first fan system housing connectoris mounted within the first connector recess. In certain embodiments, a second fan system housing connectoris mounted within the second connector recess.

452 470 472 470 472 460 470 472 432 452 474 476 474 476 462 474 476 432 In certain embodiments, the top wall componentincludes a first connector first fastener receptacle, a first connector second fastener receptacle, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the first connector first fastener receptacleand the first connector second fastener receptacleare positioned on opposing edges of the first connector recess. In certain embodiments, the first connector first fastener receptacleand the first connector second fastener receptacleare configured to receive respective fan system connector fastener mechanisms. In certain embodiments, the top wall componentincludes a second connector first fastener receptacle, a second connector second fastener receptacle, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the second connector first fastener receptacleand the second connector second fastener receptacleare positioned on opposing edges of the second connector recess. In certain embodiments, the second connector first fastener receptacleand the second connector second fastener receptacleare configured to receive respective fan system connector fastener mechanisms.

5 5 5 5 FIGS.A,B,C andD 5 FIG. 5 FIG.A 5 FIG.B 5 FIG.C 5 FIG.D 500 500 500 505 505 500 150 , generally referred to as, show views of a fan system connector system. More specifically,shows an exploded perspective view of a fan system connector system.shows a perspective view of a fan system connector system.shows an exploded perspective view of a fan system connector fastener mechanism.shows a perspective view of a fan system connector fastener mechanism. In certain embodiments, fan system connector systemcorresponds to the fan system connector system of fan system.

500 510 510 510 In certain embodiments, the fan system connector systemincludes a fan system housing connector. In certain embodiments, the fan system housing connectoris configured as a female type connector. In certain embodiments, the fan system housing connectoris configured to interconnect with a fan system cable connector. In certain embodiments, the fan system cable connector is configured as a male type connector.

510 520 505 505 520 In certain embodiments, the fan system housing connectorincludes a fan system housing connector aperture, a fan system connector fastener mechanism, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the fan system connector fastener mechanismis configured to fit within the fan system housing connector aperture.

505 530 532 532 532 530 530 534 536 538 532 536 532 In certain embodiments, the fan system connector fastener mechanismincludes a fan system fastenerand a fan system connector positioning component. In certain embodiments, the fan system positioning componentis configured as a right circular, open cylinder. In certain embodiments, the cylindrical fan system positioning componentfits around the fan system fastener. In certain embodiments, the fan system fastenerincludes a fastener head, a fastener cylindrical portionand a fastener threaded portion. In certain embodiments, the cylindrical fan system positioning componentfits around the fastener cylindrical portion. In certain embodiments, the fan system positioning componentis configured with an elastomeric material. In certain embodiments, the elastomeric material is rubber.

532 530 520 532 530 520 510 530 520 510 In certain embodiments, the fan system positioning componentis sized to fill the gap between the fan system fastenerand the fan system housing connector aperture. In certain embodiments, so positioning the fan system positioning componentensures that the centers of the fan system fastenerand the fan system housing connector aperturealign, thereby preventing the fan system connectorfrom shifting downward due to a gap between the fan system fastenerand the fan system housing connector aperture. In certain embodiments, by maintaining the distance between the fan system housing connectorand a lower housing component (such as a GPU component array), this approach ensures that interference due to insufficient distance caused by accumulated tolerances is avoided.

505 540 540 542 542 550 550 542 510 550 In certain embodiments, the fan system connector fastener mechanismphysically attaches the fan system housing connector to a fan system housing. In certain embodiments, the fan system housingincludes a top wall component. In certain embodiments, the top wall componentdefines a connector recess. In certain embodiments, the connector recessis positioned along a rear edge of the top wall component. In certain embodiments, the system housing connectoris mounted within the connector recess.

542 560 562 560 562 550 560 562 505 In certain embodiments, the top wall componentincludes a connector first fastener receptacle, a connector second fastener receptacle, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the connector first fastener receptacleand the connector second fastener receptacleare positioned on opposing edges of the connector recess. In certain embodiments, the connector first fastener receptacleand the connector second fastener receptacleare configured to receive respective fan system connector fastener mechanisms.

6 6 FIGS.A andB 6 FIG. 6 FIG.A 6 FIG.B 600 600 600 600 150 , generally referred to as, show views of a fan system connector system. More specifically,shows a cross-sectional view of a fan system connector systemin a first position (e.g., an uninserted position).shows a cross-sectional view of a fan system connector systemin a second position (e.g., a partially inserted position). In certain embodiments, the fan system connector systemcorresponds to the fan system connector system of fan system.

500 610 612 612 150 610 620 602 622 620 In certain embodiments, the fan system connector systemincludes a connector portion, a receptacle portion, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the receptable portionis included within a fan system housing of a fan system such as fan system. In certain embodiments, the connector portionincludes a fan system housing connector aperture, a fan system connector fastener mechanismor a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the fan system connector fastener mechanismis configured to fit within the fan system housing connector aperture.

622 630 632 632 632 630 632 610 612 632 610 612 In certain embodiments, the fan system connector fastener mechanismincludes a fan system fastenerand a fan system connector positioning component. In certain embodiments, the fan system positioning componentis configured as a cylinder. In certain embodiments, the cylindrical fan system positioning componentfits around the fan system fastener. In certain embodiments, the fan system positioning componentis configured with an elastomeric material. In certain embodiments, the elastomeric material is rubber. In certain embodiments, if the connector portionis misaligned as it is inserted into the receptacle portion, a portion of the fan system positioning componentmay compress to facilitate insertion of the connector portioninto the receptacle portion.

640 640 640 640 640 642 640 642 In certain embodiments, the fan system connector mechanism includes a connector projection. In certain embodiments the fan system connector projectionincludes a portion of a fan system fastener. In certain embodiments the fan system connector projectionincludes a threaded portion of a fan system fastener. In certain embodiments, the connector projectionincludes an angled insertion portion. In certain embodiments, the angled insertion portionis positioned along an edge of the connector projection. In certain embodiments, the angled insertion portionhas a first diameter at the edge of the connector projection and a second diameter internal to the edge of the connector. In certain embodiments, the first diameter is less than the second diameter.

612 650 650 650 650 650 650 642 650 610 610 612 In certain embodiments, the receptacle portionincludes an angled receptor portion. In certain embodiments, the angled receptor portionis positioned along an edge of a recess of the receptacle portion. In certain embodiments, the angled receptor portionhas a first diameter at the edge of the recess of the receptacle portionand a second diameter internal to the edge of the recess of the receptacle portion. In certain embodiments, the first diameter is less than the second diameter. In certain embodiments, the angled insertion portionand the angled receptor portioninteract to simultaneously position and align the connector portionas the connector portionis inserted into the receptacle portion.

The present invention is well adapted to attain the advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein. While the present invention has been depicted, described, and is defined by reference to particular embodiments of the invention, such references do not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts. The depicted and described embodiments are examples only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention.

Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.